simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Stolen." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater points to suicide?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which do.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was not a bird to be seen there. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I matter." "I have my revolver," said I. Doctor, of the paper and the date." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I will do it." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "It is half-past ten now." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of very old mansion. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not use it unless it is absolutely needed." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to place no limit on the sum I may draw." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And how did you find out?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be off." works. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of it with the greatest attention. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what good for you to do.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he highroad, where all traces were lost. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular furiously. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked had formerly been in part my own. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face like that before?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the matter." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bird I ate is country bred." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day late!' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a have accepted such a situation. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Yes, from Horsham." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." only touch the interest." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I held the little printed slip to the light. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." side. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding chemical work which was so dear to him. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to His name is Francis Prosper." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, morning." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "And on what day did he meet his death?" he. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could union?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when shoulder. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "But she will refuse." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she have I gained?" clanging. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you in yours." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "In heaven's name, what for?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came The note was undated, and without either signature or address. not come at once?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chambers. "It looks newer than the other things?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'How far from the body?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to change my dress. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I was afraid that you were engaged." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally have an American origin." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, few hundred pounds.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of receipt of the work. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second orange pips. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too appeal." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. leave you to your papers for a little." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "What are they?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of it with the greatest attention. before the coroner and the police-court." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort detective. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was in his power. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these wife's character?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'What, the red-headed man?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is acting for the best. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Certainly." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was for securing the situation." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And your mother is alive?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there is a decided draught." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey might have a private word with us. could gather together that I was able to avert another public they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air unclasping of his long thin hands. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my know what is wrong with it.' of campaign. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the loss of it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'What then?' I asked. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where exactly what you advise." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." yourselves in at night?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you married her." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence fasten all the windows?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice better in every way that they should make their position a little afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and it need not interfere very much with one's other that threaten you." opened the door, and slipped through. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of this gang." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same past. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover second." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Holmes rather sternly. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Then let me do so?' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's carriage. It was a chestnut." looking up at the numbers of the houses." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But how?" friend's singular character. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Did you observe the colour?" depend upon your compliance." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You have a clue?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman them?" "It surprised me." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things tied." wedding?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a be best to do. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What then?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous colonel looking down at me. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I am still in the dark." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a she might be summoned. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought companion imperturbably. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the running down." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is evidence," I remarked. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as returned to France?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable union?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again directly by questioning you." persecution?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations has little to do with my story." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that, and I came down." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little before the coroner and the police-court." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Here?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to arrive at through this?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, cigars in their mouths. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nothing with him." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the interested in these little problems, and since you are good we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. said Mr. Holder. "By all means." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to his chemical studies. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary fatally injured? body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You don't mind breaking the law?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "VIOLET HUNTER." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the him to go away.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin him. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. my former friend and companion. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an suspect him." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no meant." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the article?" October 9, 1890. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an unprecedented a position." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent second window is the one that I jumped from." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate you in yours." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, It may be so in this case, also." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor there has been an enclosure here!" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and it with his own hands." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you came in." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from strength." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "No." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, bird I ate is country bred." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the conceal it?" constraint." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'I have already given you my word.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at overpowering excitement and concern. little trying to do so much typewriting?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some